Gareth wrote:A couple more thoughts ...
TheInsanity1234 wrote:But that's an awful lot of gear changing between 3rd and 4th on a normal country road where your speed varies between 30 and 50.
You'll be needing to change down more often than necessary if you habitually try to use a lowish engine speed; try working in a slightly expanded rev-range and/or a slightly higher rev-range.
I know our cars aren't the same, but just as an example, I'm happy to use 1500-2000 rpm on motorways where physical hazards do not require much speed variation, whereas for more interesting roads I'll tend to be using 2000+ rpm most of the time. Once the engine has fully warmed up, I often use most of the rev-range to accelerate briskly, then picking a gear that allows a certain amount of speed variation without needing to change down.
If I change up, only to be forced to change down a short time later, I generally consider that a failure to see or imagine something, poor planning.
Yes, that's all well and good, but the Yeti makes a fair amount of unpleasant noise at any engine speed over 2500 rpm, and it's got no power below 1500 rpm. If the engine was more refined, then 3rd probably would be fine for most of the 30-50 variation, but it isn't, so I'm constantly flicking between 3rd and 4th because the engine feels/sounds unhappy above 2500 rpm (I know, it's probably fine, but it's not nice).
I think I also do all the gear-changing because the car has a very irritating gear change indicator, which has been positioned in the upper-right corner of the MFD, such that when it's telling you to change up, it's right there in the lower end of your peripheral vision, and it's just mildly irritating.
It may not affect the average hearing person, but it certainly affects me because I have a slightly wider visual range due to my deafness, so I notice it more than my parents do...
Gareth wrote:TheInsanity1234 wrote:Not nice and effortless at all when it comes to being tired after a long day
If you don't already do this it might be worth taking a moment or two to get your head around the change of task, before you set off for home. It's all too easy to jump from one mental environment to another without giving due consideration for what you're about to do, and the hazards you're likely to meet, and to switch your focus.
I kind of have a cockpit drill. I get in, switch my phone to silent mode (no vibration/sound) so it doesn't disturb me with notifications while I'm driving, switch the ignition on, put belt on while all assorted lights come on and go off, waggle gearstick, start engine, and go. It usually gets me in "driving mode" and I'm often feeling more awake.
Revian wrote:TheInsanity1234 wrote:Revian wrote:I'm not deaf but at 'normal' speeds there's not much to hear. I go by the rev counters reaction. I.e... Does it bounce or switch straight to another steady value.
Well... I wonder if my deafness would be a good excuse to buy myself a convertible...?
"I need the roof down so I can listen to the engine for rev-matching."
Motor bike maybe with a through exhaust...
No ta, I'll stick with the 4 wheels, I'm less likely to fall off